In the eleventh hour of the first night of 2013, Congress passed legislation which, among tax increases and other items, left the municipal bond coupon tax-free and unscathed. As you undoubtedly know by now, the bill provides for extensions of the Bush era tax cuts and credits and permanently "patches" the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) going forward.
Personal income taxes for individuals with income over $400,000 and households over $450,000 will increase; as will taxes on dividends and capital gains for those investors. There will be much more debate to follow as Congress must address the deficit and debt ceiling in the coming months.
The rally in the equity markets and the simultaneous sell-off in Treasuries seem to be an expression of relief from investors who had sought safety in bonds while awaiting the outcome of these deliberations. What needs to occur in my view, however, is a response from business that reflects both relief and confidence in the stimulus. Business may need to see how more revenues will be raised and what programs may be pushed over the cliff before employment increases and GDP can rise.
At this time, tax-free investors can exhale knowing that their tax-free income streams remain preserved as we roll off the second strong performance year in a row; the Barclays Municipal Bond Index returned 6.78% in 2012. With higher taxes coming for many Americans, I believe the tax-free coupon makes munis all the more desirable.
James Colby is a portfolio manager and senior municipal strategist for Van Eck Global. This originally appeared on his Muni Nation blog for the firm. To read more of his writing, click here.
